Alpha Animation names head of production

Former DreamWorks Animation development exec Alex Schwartz has joined L.A.-based Alpha Animation to head up the new company's feature film slate.

Former DreamWorks Animation development exec Alex Schwartz has been appointed head of production for Alpha Animation, the newly launched L.A.-based features division of China’s largest animation company, Alpha Group.

In her new remit, Schwartz will lead creative development and production on Alpha’s upcoming animated feature film slate. She will work closely with Alpha Animation CEO Bob Bacon to develop and produce original animated feature films, and projects based on Alpha Group’s numerous existing IP, for worldwide distribution.

The division is expected to release its first feature in 2020, producing one film per year thereafter.

Schwartz moves to Alpha from her most recent position as head of development for DreamWorks Animation, where she worked on a number of the company’s hit films including How To Train Your Dragon, Shrek 4, Puss in Boots, The Croods and Home. Prior to DWA, she led production at Walden Media, overseeing a slate that included Holes, The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, Bridge to Terabithia, Charlotte’s Web and Journey to the Center of the Earth.

The formation of Alpha Animation follows the recent launch of Alpha Pictures, a live-action feature film development company also based in L.A. It will look to develop US-China co-productions based on properties from China’s online comic book platform U17.com, which Alpha Group acquired last year.

Alpha is also one of the producers of the hit animated preschool series Super Wings! and operates Southern China kidsnet, Jiajia Cartoon.

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About The Author

Jeremy is the Features Editor of Kidscreen specializing in the content production, broadcasting and distribution aspects of the global children's entertainment industry.
Contact Jeremy at jdickson@brunico.com.